Bon Jovi said it best—at the end of the day, we're all just livin' on a prayer.
President Reagan definitely believed in the power of prayer. He talks about it a lot throughout "The Evil Empire," emphasizing that many American traditions and ideologies are rooted in religion, including the belief that all people should live and practice their chosen faith freely.
Religion has always been part of American tradition, and the principles of justice, love, acceptance, and goodness have roots in the religion. Reagan believes those things are key to solving problems with aggressive totalitarian governments, and the American spirit will overcome the bad guys who refuse to acknowledge the consequences of their actions.
Questions About Prayer and Religion
- Name some of the religious principles that are also considered American principles.
- In line 33, Reagan addresses "modern-day secularism" in our society. Do you agree with what he's saying? Why or why not?
- In line 168, Reagan quotes Isaiah: "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no night He increased strength. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary." Who do you think Reagan is talking about?
- Do you think the audience, the National Association of Evangelists, influenced the content of this speech? How do you think the speech may have changed if Reagan was addressing a different crowd?
Chew on This
Ronald Reagan believes a nation without religion cannot truly be good and just.
The power of prayer, and of American morals, is not enough to fix the problems with the Soviet Union if its people don't want to work for change.